Gettysburg is located in Adams County, in Central Pennsylvania. Only ten miles from the state’s southern border, Gettysburg is just a few hours by car from places like Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC, making it an excellent option even for a road-trip stopover. Either way you decide to visit Gettysburg – as your sole destination or as a stop on a family road trip – you are sure to find plenty to please each member of the family.

The History Nerd

Gettysburg perhaps is best known as the site of the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War. It is also where President Abraham Lincoln delivered his immortal Gettysburg Address. Such designations have made Gettysburg Battlefield one of the most visited military parks in the country. It is said that there is history behind every building in Gettysburg, as many of them were already standing before the Battle of Gettysburg began. Hear their stories by participating in an historic walking tour of the town with a costumed guide. Visitors can also spend a day in the life of a civil war soldier at an authentic encampment, an actual battle ground held by Confederate soldiers during the Battle of Gettysburg.

Gettysburg National Military Park | Credit

The Spirits Seeker

Gettysburg is known to have some resident ghosts, but those aren’t the kinds of spirits I’m talking about here. These spirits come in the forms of wine, beer, and cider. A number of wineries and distilleries are making their mark in Gettysburg and throughout Adams County. Furthermore, with Gettysburg as the top producer of apples in Pennsylvania (and the 4th in the U.S overall), it’s no surprise that the cider scene is also booming. Spend an afternoon (or two) tasting and sampling the spirits of Gettysburg, or take part in an organized outing with Savor Gettysburg Food Tours, LLC.

The Outdoor Enthusiast

The Gettysburg area is a four-season outdoor recreation destination. Hiking across and around the battlefield is a popular activity during spring, summer, and fall, as is biking the miles of battlefield roads. Stop along the way to read the plaques and mix in a little history with your exercise. To fully get the outdoors experience, stay at one of seven area campgrounds. The properties range from camping resorts and RV parks to more rustic grounds with primitive campsites. Horseback riding is another Gettysburg favorite with a selection of outfitters offering guided horseback tours of the battlefield. Winter tends to be quieter in Gettysburg, as the crowds aren’t as plentiful. But it might be the perfect time to really experience the battlefield, a coat of fresh snow adding to the somber atmosphere. For more of an adrenaline rush, head just outside of town to Liberty Mountain Resort to ski, snowboard, and fly down the snow tube hill.

The Foodie

Tavern keepers in Gettysburg have been welcoming travelers and diners to their establishments for centuries. Many restaurant buildings, such as Dobbin House Tavern, were built before the Civil War even started. With such history comes Gettysburg’s legacy of serving up hearty, home-cooked meals, consisting of the bounty from local Adams County farms. What visitors can expect today is a dining scene in the midst of a glorious resurgence, giving new life to those historic taverns and introducing innovative farm-to-table restaurants, which is sure to delight foodies of all degrees.

For more information and to plan your trip to Gettysburg, be sure to visit the Destination Gettysburg website. As they say in Gettysburg, the history will entice you to visit; the recreation and hospitality will make you want to return.

This post is brought to you by Destination Gettysburg. Unless otherwise stated, photos are property of Destination Gettysburg.

I didn’t realize there was so much more to do in Gettysburg! I’m a big history nerd, so of course the historical aspects of the city really interest me. But the food and outdoor activities look pretty awesome too!

I’ve been wanting to visit Gettysburg! A friend of mine used to be a park ranger there and swears she saw a ghost in full Union uniform. While I’d definitely take a ghost tour there, I’m much more interested in the spirits mentioned in your post. I love a good cider. Actually, I keep hearing wonderful things about the food and drink in Gettysburg. Might be time for a road trip to Pennsylvania. 😉

I’ve never been to Gettysburg, but it sounds like it is a great place to visit. I’d like to go for a bike ride and then taste some beers and ciders, and stop in at the Dobbin House! Cool fact about their apple production!

The riding sounds fun and something my kids would love. What I was really pleased to find out from your post was that you can go skiing nearby! That and the farm-to-table dining options. Gettysburg really does seem like a great place for families.

Thanks for these ideas! We’re planning a trip to DC and have some extra time for day trips, so thinking we might include Gettysburg in the itinerary. I want to see the Battlefield, and maybe take in some of the cider scene 😀

We are fascinated with visiting places like Gettysburg with a lot of history and stories of past. A historic walking tour of the town with a costumed guide sounds like a great idea plus we loved the idea of how they mix up the outdoor activities with the tours, it would make for a great experience. We would love to do the horseback tours.

I love that this is such a great pairing of food and wine with history! (Who knew!) I had always thought of Gettysburg as a historical visit, so I am happy to see that there is so much more including camping and hiking and even winter sports!

Meet Francesca and Her Family

Francesca is a Chicago-based travel blogger and working mom of one nerdtastic little girl and the sweetest boy in the universe. Francesca aims to show that working parents, like her and her husband, can still enjoy what they fancy in life after having kids. For Francesca, it is travel - with and without her family - music, and premium beverages, including craft beer and bourbon.